Other

S Res 232 is a non-binding resolution that attempts to frame support for Palestinian rights as antisemitism. The statistics and many of the examples cited in the resolution rely on the same conflation at work in the distorted IHRA definition. S Res 232, for example, lists statements by Members of Congress that Benjamin Netanyahu is an “ethno-nationalist” and describing Israel as an “apartheid state” as instances of antisemitism. 

H Res 428 is a non-binding resolution that attempts to link an uptick antisemitic incidents in the US to criticism of Israel’s violent response to the 2021 Unity Intifada. The statistics cited for the alleged uptick rely on the same conflation at work in the distorted IHRA definition – and are produced by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a pro-police anti-Palestinian organization that has been widely criticized for undermining and attacking progressive movements and communities of color.

HB 7223 seeks the abolition of and withholding of funds from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, an accountability mechanism established in 2021 to investigate international law violations around the Unity Uprising. Related bill: S 4389.

S 4389 seeks the abolition of and withholding of funds from the UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and in Israel, an accountability mechanism established in 2021 to investigate international law violations around the Unity Uprising. Related bill: HB 7223.

HR 3515 attempts to link antisemitic hate crimes with protests against Israel’s violence against Palestinians. The bill, which has only Republican sponsors, calls for the Attorney General to issue guidance for law enforcement agencies to raise awareness of antisemitic hate crimes pursuant to the act. In the press release for a nearly identical Senate bill S 1939, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell smeared BDS as antisemitic and implied that boycotts for justice are on par with violent antisemitic hate crimes that the bill seeks to address. Related bill: S 1939.

S 1939 attempts to link antisemitic hate crimes with protests against Israel’s violence against Palestinians. The bill, which has only Republican sponsors, references IHRA’s distorted definition of antisemitism, and calls for the Attorney General to issue guidance for law enforcement agencies to raise awareness of antisemitic hate crimes pursuant to the act. In a press release, Republican Senator Mitch McConnell smeared BDS as antisemitic and implied that boycotts for justice are on par with the violent antisemitic hate crimes that the bill seeks to address. Related bill: HR 3515. 

Amendment 380 to the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022 withholds research and development funding from universities that sponsor or endorse campus events involving “convicted terrorists.” Palestinian rights advocacy is clearly the target of this amendment, which was introduced by Rep. Gottheimer following the censorship by Zoom of campus events featuring Palestinian activist Leila Khaled. This amendment was later withdrawn.

HR 4521 is a large bill called the “America COMPETES Act,” and the bulk of the bill is unrelated to advocacy for Palestinian rights. The version passed in the House includes a non-germane amendment directing the Permanent Representative of the United States to the United Nations to work to end the UN Commission of Inquiry investigating violations of international law surrounding 2021’s Unity intifada, including Israel’s forced displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem and its attacks on Gaza. The Senate version includes an amendment that bars participation of any country “that takes actions to boycott, divest from, or sanction Israel” or its illegal settlements from National Science Foundation Technology and Innovations programs.

This bill would prohibit Amnesty International, an international human rights organization, from receiving any federal funds, and would make Amnesty International’s employees ineligible to receive any financial benefit from the United States government. Although Israel is not mentioned in the bill, a statement by the bill’s sponsors makes clear this bill is aimed at Amnesty’s work holding Israel accountable for human rights violations. Earlier in 2022, Amnesty International released a comprehensive report documenting Israel’s system of apartheid against Palestinians.

S 3467 withholds U.S. funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) unless the Secretary of State certifies in writing that no UNRWA employee, contractor, or partner organization has criticized Israel, expressed support for boycotts for justice, or propagated antisemitic rhetoric. Examples of prohibited rhetoric include “describing Israelis as ‘occupiers’ or ‘settlers,’” expressing support for BDS, and advocating for the right of return. In defining antisemitism, the bill relies on the distorted IHRA definition, including its contemporary examples related to Israel. The IHRA definition has been widely criticized for encompassing nearly all criticism of Israel and circumscribing protected political speech activities. Related bills: S 2479, HR 4721.